Submitted by: Marcus Brooks

It’s not something people do very often but there’s no doubt it can easily rank as one of the most profitable or most expensive tasks we ever have.

People typically move house 2 or 3 times during their life, so we’re not expected to be very experienced in preparing our houses to be sold. However a little advice goes a long way here, because that bit of extra effort in the right area can quite literally mean substantial amounts of extra cash in your bank account. First impressions count highly when buying houses and if your home creates a favourable mark, you are more likely to sell it quickly and you’ll probably get a higher price too. Don’t give your prospective buyers any excuse not to buy or to knock you down on price.

We’re not talking about a fresh vase of flowers here or some fresh coffee brewing. Those things don’t cut it anymore and people’s expectations are much higher these days. You need to look at some more fundamental changes which may not be easy to achieve but can be well worth it. Broadly speaking the tasks fall into 4 main areas.

Clearing out clutter, repairing, redecorating and cleaning. Before you start any of this you need a clear plan, a budget, some help from friends possibly and some time set aside.

Let s start with clutter. If you’ve lived in your house for more than a few years, then you have probably built up a healthy volume of possessions and goods that are filling every cupboard, wardrobe and spare room. Now is the perfect time to have a good clear out and you need to be ruthless. By all means pack things away and put them out of sight in the loft or even in temporary storage, but you could be

creating a problem further down the line when you move into your new house. Make some hard decisions about possessions you can now live without – if they have any value then consider selling them, giving them away to friends or donating them to a local charity store. If it looks like you’ll need to dispose of lots of stuff then you may choose to hire a skip to make things easier. Don’t forget to clear out your loft and your garage if you have one at the same time.

Next you should fix or repair anything that needs attention. Buyers will expect all the basics of your home to be in good working order and if the property looks as if it has been well-maintained, then people will feel more comfortable about making an offer for your property. For specialist tasks like plumbing or electricals make sure you get expert assistance.

It may seem odd to start redecorating your home when you are just about to move out, but if some of your rooms are looking a little tired or dated, then this task can make a huge difference. Ask some friends to be brutally honest about what they think of your house and which rooms could do with a fresh lick of paint. It’s easy not to notice these things when you are living there. Choose neutral colors when repainting as you want to appeal to as many people as possible. Your prospective buyers may be young or old, families or single people – try not to alienate anyone.

The big push towards a successful sale ends with a thoroughly good clean. A spring clean like you’ve never done before! Get your carpets and furniture cleaned at the same time to remove any musty smells.

So you’re nearly there – all that remains is to make sure you (and your family) keep the house looking great all the way through the sales process. With a little luck all your efforts will be repaid with a quick and profitable sale, making your move into a new home less stressful and much more enjoyable.

About the Author: Marcus Brooks is a writer and publisher of home improvement and property advice. His advice and time saving tips cover a wide range of subjects. His latest initiative on

skip hire

can be found at www.skiphiredirect.co.uk

Source:

isnare.com

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